One of the best thinking tools I have discovered is called by different names by different people - concept webbing or mindmapping. Basically, it is a way of thinking throught the related ideas and issues to a specific concept, and showing relationships.
It can be used to take notes, to study, to solve problems, and many other uses. It is particularly useful for visual learners. For me the benefit of using concept webs or mind maps over using bullet points or traditional note taking methods, is that it is easier to show relationships that are not linear. The way we as educators often present information through powerpoints and outlines, creates the illusion in students that the world is linear and all information occurs in a linear fashion. We know that it is not true. The world of knowlegde consists of many interrelated topics and concepts, and mind mapping allows us to show the non linear nature of information.
Mind mapping was popularized by Tony Buzan. You can see a 5 minute videoclip of Mr. Buzan talking about his process here:
You can see more of Mr. Buzan's process on his website: http://www.imindmap.com/.
There are other options available. Wikipedia has a very good description of the concept at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map, and a list of software at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mind_Mapping_software
Teachers are probably familiar with Inspiration and Kidspiration software (http://www.inspiration.com/)
A mind mapping tool I really like to use, is cmap developed by the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). It is available for free download to people who work in educational institutions from http://cmap.ihmc.us/.
Try using this method of thinking through topics and issues.
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A personal view of the world of gifted education by Catharine de Wet, Assistant Professor in Gifted and Talented Education at the University of Alabama.
